Pivotal Books on Injustice and Inequality

A Washtenaw County NOW project, 2017

Read the Most Recent NOW Newsletter

Michigan NOW supports Equality Michigan’s request that the Michigan Civil Rights Commission issue an interpretive statement finding that the prohibition on sex discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations found in Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act includes a prohibition on discrimination based on an individual’s gender identity and sexual orientation. (download letter)

The Clemency Project

At our conference Carol Jacobsen educated us about her work with the Clemency Project. This project advocates for clemency for domestic violence victims. Please read the short bios of these women. Consider sending them a note so they know they are not forgotten. And PLEASE write to the Governor and ask for clemency for them. We have been told that #4 Karen has an increased chance at clemency, but only if you support her!

Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility

If you do a quick search you will find many articles regarding overcrowding and understaffing at the Michigan women’s prison (Huron Valley). Our current newsletter also has an article by Georgina Hickey that tells about her experiences volunteering in the Michigan women’s prison.

In the current budget negotiations legislators are proposing deep cuts to corrections, especially to the women’s prison. Please contact your elected officials and ask them to preserve current funding for the women’s prison. Find your elected officials here.

Gender Justice Advocate Appointed

The Michigan Chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) is pleased to announce the appointment of Jen Salamone to the position of LGBTQ Task Force Chair. Ms. Salamone has a M.S.Ed in Counseling and a B.S. in Psychology. She is a Student Affairs Professional with a passion for teaching and art as activism. Currently Ms. Salamone lives in Flint and is the Program Manager for the Ellen Bommarito LGBTQ Center at the University of Michigan-Flint. She also has experience as a Project Coordinator for the Women's Educational Center at the University of Michigan-Flint. (download press release)

Michigan NOW and and other state (and national) organizations signed letters to the House and Senate in support of Flint funding.

About the Water Crisis In Flint: As many as 12,000 children in Flint may have been exposed to lead in the city’s drinking water, after the city’s emergency manager changed the source of water to the Flint River in 2014 to save the city money. The river water corroded the plumbing, causing the aging pipes to leach lead into the water. No amount of lead exposure is safe, and lead is particularly damaging for children’s developing brains.

Water Infrastructure Funding: The Senate is currently considering a bipartisan version of the Water Resources Development Act that includes assistance to help Flint and other communities improve or replace their aging water infrastructure. The House has yet to take up a water resources bill or enact any measure providing funding for Flint.